For that reason, and in order to offer NomenClature that speaks not to archaic, obsolete "Positions", but rather to Skill Sets that accurately reflect the dynamic Changes of the 21st Century Game and the Roles they have spawned, I have undertaken to craft Terminology that is designed to break Skill Sets down as they really are.

Defensive Coordinators have, since Time Immemorial, employed highly creative terminology in devising Defenses and in designating Assignments. In that Spirit, I have admittedly indulged myself considerably in devising the following NomenClature. It is undeniably colorful, but I like to think that there's an underlying Logic, as well:

Wolves ~ Wolves are the smaller, faster Defensive Tackles. Whereas Grizzlies will generally be counted on to command Double Teams and stop the Inside Run, Wolves will usually be asked to penetrate the Pocket and disrupt, especially against the Pass. The Prototype would be somewhere around 6015/300 or less, and they're getting smaller.

Of course, where and how any given Coach chooses to deploy his Players is his Business. Players that I characterize as Wolves may often or even routinely line up anywhere, on any given Down. My only purpose is simply to identify what I perceive as Skill Sets, to distinguish types, if you will, and perhaps create a universal Point of Reference.

When evaluating Wolves, this is how I break down the Attributes to which I pay most particular attention:

Power: Above all: Core Power. Torso Power is important, but Core Power, from the Knees to the Ribs, is absolutely crucial. All the upper body strength in the world still fails if you can't dig in your heels. But Core Power enables a Defensive Lineman to project Power in the Passing Game and to reject Power in the Running Game.

Agility: Launch Velocity, Acceleration, and above all: Fluidity or Core Agility. Core Agility is even more essential to sustained good Health ~ and to sustained good FootBall ~ than Core Power. The ability to react with Serpentine smoothness is a tremendous asset in all Aspects of the Game, and certainly in the Hand to Hand Combat that characterizes Trench Warfare. All the Power in the World goes only so far if you're stiff and lumbering out there.

Intangibles:Processing Speed and Motor. Processing Speed or Diagnostic Velocity is about how quickly and effectively one Reads & Reacts to how the Rapidly Roiling Tactical LandScape effects Blocking Schemes, and Motor is about Endurance and Drive: How much Work has been put into Conditioning, and how it manifests itself.

Run Defense: Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and Processing Speed.

Pass Rush: Power, Agility, and Combat Skills.

Broken down into SubCategories, it'd go something like this:Broken down into SubCategories, it'd go something like this:

Power: Exceptional. While I am fond of criticizing the vast majority of Trench Gorillas because most of them tend to direct most of their Weight Room efforts on the "sexier" Torso Power to what is often the fatal detriment of their Core Power, Covington's Power is equally impressive throughout his Frame, and he can both Anchor and Drive effectively.

Agility: Exceptional in all regards: Launch Velocity, Fluidity, and Acceleration.

Run Defense: Exceptional. Remarkable Power at the Point of Attack, exceptional Launch Velocity and impressive Combat Skill to Disrupt the BackField, and exceptional Fluidity and Acceleration and a tremendous Motor In Pursuit.

Pass Rush: Impressive and potentially Excellent, Covington brings a terrific combination of all the Attributes that potentially spell Success: Launch Velocity, Fluidity, Power, Combat Skills, and an outstanding Motor. He needs to develop his Repertoire, but he's clearly Driven, and with Time & Training, he could develop into a consistent Force.

Christian Covington Prospectus

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Christian Covington. His Health is purported to be a big Question after an injurious 2014 Campaign, but he tore it up ~ so to speak ~ at his Pro Day on March 25th, displaying all of the exceptional Power and Agility that manifest themselves when you Roll The Tape, so I'm no more concerned about'm than about any Prospect.

And as far as his Game is concerned: He brings a tremendous Fusion of Power and Agility to the BattleField, his Combat Skills are impressive and could become excellent with Time & Training, he's clearly a smart kid with exceptional Field Vision, and he's a passionate kid with a tremendous Motor and lot of Drive who consistently plays his Ass off.

I believe that he'll develop into an exceptional and quite conceivably an outstanding Pass Rusher, the kind that racks up his share of Sacks and far more than his Share of Pressure, and I foresee'm developing into one of the most remarkably tenacious Interior Run Defenders in the League, confounding Critics who mistake Size for Power.

I can see'm playing effectively at 34 End from Time to Time, but I believe that his best Work will be done from the 1 & 3.

Grateful Thanks, as always, for the crucial Work done by the folks at Draft BreakDown!!

Yank Rank: Beast ~ DeeperSleeper!!

﻿Market Value

4th/5th Round﻿

﻿Yankee Grade

1st/2nd Round﻿

Please do Note: This and all Evaluations issued by this Site are produced by a ludicrously unqualified Amateur, privy to not even the tiniest fraction of Coach's Tape, Scouting Expertise, Face to Face Interviewing, Experience, or Inside Information enjoyed by the Professionals. As such, anything put forth is certainly misinformed, euphonious, derivative Tripe, and should be rejected out'f hand and indeed shunned by all men and women of Good Will!! I'm trying to discern Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and far more abstract, esoteric Concepts such as Processing Speed and Motor, and I'm trying to do so based almost entirely on a fascinating fusion of Tape, Combine Numbers, and Pro Days, while trying to attenuate my findings based on Allowances for Competition Level, Scheme, Concept, Context, and, above all: Trajectory!!

None of this is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning!! Caveat Emptor!!